A debate is brewing over a suggestion to memorialize a slain police officer connected to a controversial death penalty case.

Chatham County Commissioner Pat Farrell mentioned the idea for a memorial at the new Chatham Area Transit headquarters in honor of Officer Mark MacPhail during a recent commission meeting. But in the city at the center of the case that resulted in the execution of MacPhail’s convicted killer, which drew international scrutiny, just the idea serves as a lightening rod.

Farrell suggested the commission present a resolution to the CAT board of directors in support of a memorial. Commissioner Helen Stone, a CAT board member, introduced a similar idea at the October CAT board meeting.

Just as then, the more recent suggestion drew criticism from Commissioner James Holmes, a CAT board member, who argues an individual memorial to MacPhail could lead relatives of other fallen peace officers to petition for similar recognition.

Besides, said Holmes, law enforcement agencies already honor dozens of local fallen officers, including MacPhail, at an annual Police Memorial Day Service at the Police Memorial Park on Oglethorpe Avenue.

“I would not support any resolution like that,” Holmes told Farrell at the commission’s pre-agenda meeting last Friday.

In September 2011, Troy Anthony Davis, 42, was executed after a murder conviction and numerous appeals for the Aug. 19, 1989, slaying of MacPhail, 27, in the parking lot of the Greyhound bus terminal/Burger King at the corner of Oglethorpe Avenue and Fahm Street as the off-duty officer rushed to assist a homeless man.

The death penalty case drew worldwide attention amid questions over whether Davis had been involved in the killing. The case also reignited debates about the fairness of capital punishment and further strained racial tensions within Savannah.

The site of MacPhail’s death has since been converted into a plaza as part of a multi-million dollar transit center renovation for CAT. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in October.

When Stone presented the idea that a plaza there be named in honor of MacPhail at the conclusion of last month’s CAT meeting it was immediately met with opposition from Holmes, Mary Osborne and Priscilla Thomas.

“The man that paid his life, his family suffers as much as the MacPhail family,” Osborne, a Savannah alderwoman, said in reference to Davis.

Thomas, a county commissioner, said the creation of a memorial would set an unwelcome precedent for CAT.

“I have family members that have been officers and nothing has been said about their lives as well as others,” Thomas said.

“I’m not against something being done in honor for this great fallen person, but we need to tread the waters very carefully because I can tell you, unequivocally, the moment you do it chaos will take place.”

The CAT board took no action on the matter.

Both Stone and Farrell credited opinion pieces written by Tom Barton, Savannah Morning News editorial page editor, in support of a CAT memorial, for why they have proposed the idea. Furthermore, Stone said former police Chief David Gellatly told her county officials earlier had discussed a similar suggestion.

But Thomas, who was elected a commissioner in 1990, said at the CAT meeting that she had not heard of such a discussion at the county level.

Stone this week said she did not intend to spur controversy by proposing the memorial. In fact, she said she did not understand why the matter is controversial.

“This is where a man was shot and killed,” Stone said. “It shouldn’t be linked to anything else.”

A Facebook page supporting the creation of a plaza memorial to MacPhail had more than 360 “likes” as of Thursday afternoon. Savannah Bishop Emeritus J. Kevin Boland added his support to the cause in an editorial page letter published this week in the Savannah Morning News.

On Thursday, Madison MacPhail of Austin, Texas, said she and her mother, Joan MacPhail Harris, support the idea of a CAT plaza memorial to her late father. She said she did not know whether any public official had contacted her family about the idea.

“We think that it’s a great idea,” said Madison, 26, during a phone conversation.

“I think that there are a lot of memorials to people out there. My dad gave his life to protect people, and I think that those are the people that we should honor, if you’re going to honor people.”

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It is pathetic that a council person can't separate the fact that Macphail was a hero who was killed while trying to save a homeless person from the fact that his executioner was later tried, convicted and punished in accordance with the law. If Macphail was black, the plaque would already be up, and the picture of the council surrounding the monument would be posted on the City website.

Absolutely disgusting, shameful, and racist. Davis was a murdering thug, and McPhail, a hero. I now see where they stand. Wonder if they have a clue about how, and who Hodgson Memorial Drive is named for and why.

No, these morons don't have a clue that Hodgson Memorial Drive was named after Daniel "Alex" Hodgson. He was only 24 when he was shot in the chest and killed by a POS who didn't get the Death Penalty as he should have.

What could be more appropriate than having a memorial to Officer Mark MacPhail at the site of the new CAT station? The only other place would be having a huge memorial in the EXACT spot he fell after being shot by that POS Troy Anthony Davis would be the best!

Priscilla Thomas and her fact Doctorate needs to take worthless self and her little pet project that wastes taxpayers dollars and go happily into retirement, while she can to save her respectability before she gets outed again for her farce.

Mary Oborne should have been gone years ago. She ripped the Savannah taxpayers off with the help of Rochelle with something that was so obviously outside of the City of Savannah's guidelines of paying for damage. She's as worthless as worthless can be on City Council.

James Holmes, what has he done to be recognized or admired as a county Commissioner? Nothing. Can't recall one statement or vote he's made that stands out.

What do they all have in common? Ignorant voters that keep electing them for doing nothing. If the majority of their voters didn't live in government subsidized, tax free housing and had to make any contribution to tax dollars, even if it's only through their rent and if they have one ounce of sense, they wouldn't have been elected, much less re-elected.

How about somebody that's capable of doing a little bit of investigative reporting on SMN staff look into the expense of the County (Abolt) hosting a celebration event for Joe Rivers and James Holmes at the Trade Center? It's a two part deal. One is for the PUBLIC and the other is a private event where you have to purchase a ticket. Who is paying for the public event and will there be enough ticket sales to pay for the private event? Could be an interesting read!